VZCZCXRO6632
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBW #1200 3261239
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211239Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0659
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNS/NSC WASHDC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0031

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001200 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SR KV
SUBJECT: SERBIA:  FM JEREMIC TAKES A BRUISING IN THE PRESS 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
(SBU) Recent articles in Serbia's media about the EU's displeasure 
with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic's rhetoric are causing a bruising 
for the media-conscious Jeremic.  The simultaneous timing of the 
stories leaves open speculation that some within his Democratic 
Party (DS) may be trying to reign in the outspoken FM.  End 
summary. 
 
Media Reports EU Critical of Jeremic 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Serbian media recently published several articles about 
how FM Jeremic's growing rhetoric is annoying EU member countries. 
On November 20 Novi Sad-based daily "Dnevnik," (which is partly 
owned by German media company WAZ) published an article citing a 
supposed internal EU document drafted by EU officials following the 
European Commission's annual report on Serbia's EU integration 
process, which was published this month.  According to "Dnevnik," 
the supposed EU document criticizes Jeremic's use of "unacceptable 
rhetoric" and says that Jeremic's statements could be "undermining 
Serbia's EU aspirations."   The daily writes that many EU members 
have expressed their displeasure at Jeremic's recent "outbursts." 
German officials called his statements "damaging for Serbia." 
Jeremic is "trying to blame the EU for his own government's failings 
in advance," German diplomats believe, according to the daily. 
"Dnevnik" reports that British officials find Jeremic's statements, 
"detrimental to both regional stability, the role of the EU, and to 
Serbia itself."  The daily cites additional criticisms of Jeremic 
from unnamed Italian, Belgian, Swedish, Hungarian, and Czech 
diplomats. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) In the same tone, Belgrade daily "Blic" published a 
November 21 article saying that according to European officials, 
Jeremic is among the most unpopular regional politicians.  The 
article, citing a "Blic" source in Brussels, says Jeremic always 
tends to "teach lessons to everybody", and therefore foreign 
officials are trying to avoid meeting with him.  "Blic" notes that, 
due to his populist rhetoric and behavior, Jeremic's popularity in 
Serbia is growing, while at the same time, his credibility among 
neighbor states and the international community is plunging.  In 
foreign circles Jeremic is seen as a politician who changes 
positions all the time and who "does not want to hear what his 
interlocutors want to tell him," writes "Blic." 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Jeremic, who has closely followed his own rise in 
Serbia's popularity polls, will likely take offense to the EU 
criticisms against him and his jingoistic style.  With these 
criticisms now public, even among government-friendly media, Jeremic 
may now be facing growing disdain for his leadership style from 
within his own party ranks.  End comment. 
 
MUNTER